EPL 2014/15 - Game Week 7

By now, you could see that almost everyone is struggling, except Chelsea. Mourinho is silently smiling as at the moment nobody seems capable to wipe that smirk from his face. Chelseas continued their fine form and is pulling away.

Before I move on, let me share a special goal from the Asian Games. You can't even do this in FIFA 15 Play Station or XBox. Sepak Takraw moves:

(Thailand v China, Asian Games)
https://sg.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/fit-to-post-sports/thai-footballers-execute-flying-backheel-to-scissor-kick-combo-at-asian-games-082659950.html

How is the coming weeks going to be. It is so important to start well or else each game seems to be piling up, the injury list also piles up and each match seems to get tougher since it is going to be that "must-win" match. Before we proceed, let's take a look at some great goals:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=796965560346037&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

Hull v Palace - The Tigers have never beaten Palace in their last five meetings (drew one and lost four). On current form of both teams, they are unlikely to do so again. Although they fought bravely against Man City last week at one point level at 2-2 (not many teams can put two past City), they finally succumbed 2-4. Hull scored 9 goals in their last 5 matches but conceded 13. Meanwhile Palace continued their revival sitting in 9th position under new manager Neil Warnock. I reckon a draw here. 2-2.

Leicester v Burnley - After that pulsating 5-3 win over Man Utd the Foxes lost when they visited a much improved Palace. Expect them to recover and come back stronger against lowly Burnley now propping up the table. Burnley have not beaten Leicester in their last 4 meetings (lost 3 and drew 1) and have not scored in their last 5 matches. A home win for sure. Expect Ulloa to score. 2-0.

Liverpool v WBA - Liverpool have not won in their last 3 matches. They are sorely missing the services of Suarez and Sturridge. They need a Sturridge return to regain their winning ways. Although at the end Everton had more possession, Liverpool dominated and have the upper hand. Both captains scored marvellous goals. Gerrard showed that at 34, he still has something to offer with that beauty from the free-kick and Phil Jagielka scored a most wonderful goal from 25m with seconds remaining. Jordan Henderson was full of energy with his display, Raheem Stirling was almost unstoppable capping another solid outing but the most eye-catching display came from Adam Lallana who I feel will be the key for Liverpool to unlock defences. The worst player has to be Balotelli missing several chance. When you do not win, your confidence is sapped. Meanwhile WBA have been doing great! 3 wins 1-0 away to Tottenham, 3-2 at home to Hull and a 4-0 drubbing of Burnley means that Liverpool could ill afford another match without a win and there is pressure on them. WBA often gave Liverpool a hard time. Last season they drew 1-1 at the Hawthorns but at Anfield Liverpool won 4-1. This match looks like a draw to me but I believe that with Sturridge back to match fitness, Liverpool at Anfield could just edge it. 2-1.

(Liverpool v Everton)
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=794596027249657&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

Sunderland v Stoke - Past meetings were always close affairs. Stoke have the upper hand with 2 wins, 2 draws. Last season Sunderland won 1-0 at home and lost 1-2 away. Sunderland performed miraculously towards the end of last season while Stoke showed promise. However, when the new season kicked off, neither showed the same. The Black Cats seemed to have problem scoring of late and they lost to Stoke 1-2 at the Stadium of Light in the Cup. Both will likely struggle to win. Draw. 1-1.

Swansea v Newcastle - The Swans are doing very well in 5th place while the Magpies are floundering at the bottom with Burnley. Before the away 0-0 draw with Sunderland, Swansea thumped Everton 3-0 in the Cup. Newcastle surprising beat Palace in the Cup but they have just lost 0-1 to Stoke so Alan Pardew is having more than a difficult time. It does not help that in their last 4 meetings, Newcastle lost all their games to Swansea. It is unlikely for Newcastle to get some points or a point. 2-0.

Villa v Man City - After a stellar start to the new season and playing well, you have to feel sorry for Aston Villa considering who they have played or are playing three games in a row - Arsenal, Chelsea and now Man City. Such cruelty. In 5 previous meetings, Villa won twice and lost three. Last year, they actually won 3-2 at Villa Park and lost 0-4 at the City of Manchester. This is their only glimmer of hope plus the fact that City let in 2 goals at Hull means they may yet have a chance but their own performance of going down 0-3 at home to the Gunners and 0-3 away to Chelsea means they have problem scoring now. Man City continued their poor form in Europe when they got held 1-1 by visiting Roma but still in the domestic league, they should prove too good for Villa even though Villa may hope to inflict last season's result at the same venue on their visitor. Key to their performance would be Yaya Toure who is far from the player he was last year. 0-2.

Man Utd v Everton - The Red Devils struggled against West Ham the last time around. Sam Allardyce seemed to have asked his players to see what Man U were made of. Despite having some of the best strike force, United showed that they are not going to be champions anytime soon. Everton have not won in their last 3 matches but they have a good record against Man Utd. In their last 5 meetings, Everton won 3, drew 1 and lost 1. Last season they won both home (2-0) and away (1-0). Despite their patchy results, captain Phil Jagielka's last ditch super strike equalizer saving a point at Anfield would give them the needed inspiration. 2-2.

(Liverpool v Everton)
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=794585353917391&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater (Gerrard goal)

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=794596027249657&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater (Jagielka goal)

Chelsea v Arsenal - They are the only two teams left unbeaten thus far in the EPL standing. The Gunners while pretty to look at are less convincing and their injury casualties are piling up. Chelsea meanwhile are like an octopus that has grown bigger and stronger like a giant "sotong". They are scoring more goals and looking more attractive than before. Also in Diego Costa they now have the desired ammunition to kill off games. Arsenal have never beaten Chelsea in their last 5 meetings home and away. Their record against Chelsea is poor and Chelsea are their jinx. They held Chelsea goalless at the Emirates last year but crumbled 6-0 at Stamford Bridge. Will Arsene Wenger employ a 4-1-4-1 formation and learned from the past or find a way to stop their nemesis? Or get owned and destroyed. Chelsea will target their soft underbelly. Cesc Fabregas was offered to Arsenal but rejected by Wenger and it seemed Wenger does not take back players who wanted to leave. Will Wneger be proven right or Fabregas? Arsenal are meanwhile boosted by their mid-week 4-1 thrashing of Galatasaray where Danny Welbeck starred with a hattrick and where Oxlade Chamberlain and Alexis Sanchez also starred as they tore the visitors apart. Can they repeat such performance against Chelsea? History are against them but can the Gunners make history? Hard to pick an Arsenal win as history and current form suggest. 2-2.  

(Chelsea v Villa)
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=794664937242766&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

Tottenham v Southampton -Tottenham has 8 points in 8th position while the Saints are in 2nd place with 13 points. Tottenham have not won a league game in 4 matches. The Saints have lost just one match - their opening match against Liverpool. Southampton are not just winning, it is the manner that they win that will win plaudits. Based on current form, the visitors are more than a match for the home team. However, history favours Tottenham as Southampton have not beaten Spurs in their last 4 meetings. Considering the situation, it will end in a draw. 2-2.

(Pelle goal, Southampton v QPR)
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=795029120539681&set=vb.266828596693072&type=2&theater

West Ham v QPR - The Hammers gave Man Utd a tough time and lost narrowly. QPR have improved their play but are finding results hard to come by as both lost 1-2 in last week's away matches. At Upto0n Park last year, they drew 1-1. This could well end up a draw but West Ham are at home and will have a slight edge. 2-1.